Relationships are the cornerstone of emotional and social well-being. Whether they’re romantic, platonic, familial, or intimate, relationships promote happiness and health. People who are surrounded by supportive relationships tend to be more resilient and better able to cope with stress. Research also suggests that healthy relationships add years to our lives.
There are four basic types of relationships: family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships. Some of these can overlap and intersect with one another, such as work relationships or friendships that evolve into romance.
Love is a key part of any relationship. In addition to its many psychological benefits, love also produces a chemical in the body called oxytocin that makes us feel good. Oxytocin makes people feel connected to each other, which is why romantic relationships are so rewarding.
However, there is a fine line between loving someone and being in a toxic relationship. Often, unhealthy relationships end up being abusive in some way. If you’re in a relationship that doesn’t meet your needs, it might be time to reconsider the commitment.
A healthy relationship is based on trust, which includes not keeping secrets from each other and knowing that your partner will respect your boundaries. It also means that you can count on them to be there for you in times of crisis, and that they will support your interests and values. Healthy relationships also promote independence—allowing you to spend time with friends and take care of your own needs without feeling guilty about it.
The best relationships are those that make you a better person. Having a healthy, happy, and fulfilling relationship will allow you to grow as an individual and have a positive impact on the world around you. While this isn’t the case for everyone, most of us want to be in a relationship that brings out the best version of ourselves and makes us happy.
Healthy relationships are often filled with conflict, but it’s how you and your partner handle these conflicts that determines the fate of your partnership. Two people who have completely different ways of handling conflict are not likely to last long together. You and your partner should agree on how you’ll handle disagreements and have mutual respect for each other’s choices and argument styles.
It’s easy to see how a relationship can go wrong, but it’s just as important to know what a relationship looks like when it’s going right. When you’re in a healthy relationship, you will be able to trust that the other person will always have your best interests at heart and will never hurt you physically or emotionally. When you’re in a relationship that isn’t meeting your expectations, the only thing to do is to reassess the positives and negatives of the relationship and consider if it’s worth saving. Otherwise, it might be time to move on. Your life is too precious to waste on a relationship that’s not working out for you.